Five Leaves is very pleased to present our first ever open mic evening at the shop (except there is no mic…). After playing host to some fantastic poets over the last 4(ish) years, we thought that it was high time that we had an evening for some local talent. So if you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere to perform your poems (maybe even for the first time) we would love to hear you read.

Because it’s our first time and we’re not sure how many people would like to perform/attend, if you would like to read, please email the shop at: fiveleaves.bookshopevents@gmail.com and perhaps email us a poem too so we can come up with a running order.

Entry is free, refreshments available for a small donation.

Shreya’s memoir will have arrived by suitcase from HarperCollins India, just in time for Shreya’s birthday tonight. No presents please, but do come along…

Shreya Sen-Handley wrote a wildly popular column about body parts and body fluids, flings and romantic encounters. As readers, young and old, began to write back to her, Shreya stepped back to think about it all: her body, her writing and her life. Intensely personal and utterly universal, this is a book about everything: masturbation and the first kiss, pregnancy and sagging breasts, the wrong man and the right man. It is a tale of triumphs and tragedies, injustices (on a global scale) and ecstasies (the little ones we can all identify with).

Funny, sad, serious and sometimes very, very rude, Memoirs of My Body is the story of one woman and of Everywoman too.

Free, refreshments provided
Booking essential via fiveleaves.bookshopevents@gmail.com

Subtitled “Defeating the new shock politics and winning the world we need”, this book attempts to uncover how we got to the surreal political moment where Donald Trump is in the White House and pursuing a reckless agenda. Klein also predicts how things could get much worse, and presents a plan for changing course and ensuring a radically better future. Is this “a compelling book we all need to read and act on”?

Join us for the launch of the new issue of The Letters Page, featuring readings from contributors.

Admission free, refreshments provided
Let us know you’re coming via fiveleaves.bookshopevents@gmail.com

As part of Nottingham’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we’ll discuss Murakami’s 1987 breakthrough novel. 37-year-old businessman Toru recalls his college days, when his best friend commits suicide and Toru becomes involved with his friend’s troubled girlfriend, who eventually enters an institution. Then Toru falls in love with another woman…
Is Murakami’s book a realistic portrayal of depression and mental illness? Introduced by Pippa Hennessy.

Paul Robeson was a famous actor, singer and civil rights campaigner. Over the years he got progressively too radical and outspoken for the establishment’s liking, he was branded a traitor to his country, harassed, and denied opportunities to perform or travel.

Just as physical, emotional and mental stress threatened to push him over the fine line between genius and madness, he was summoned to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee, to give the most difficult and important performance of his career.

This journey through Robeson’s remarkable life highlights how his pioneering and heroic (but largely forgotten) political activism led many to describe him as the forerunner of the civil rights movement.

This show features much fiery oratory and some of his famous songs, including a dramatic rendition of Ol’ Man River.

Venue: Nottingham Contemporary, Weekday Cross

Tickets: £10/£8.00 from Five Leaves Bookshop

Further Details to be announced